Josh Grant celebrates the fourth of July with his and JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha's first 450 Class motocross win. Cody Cooper stays steady for a top-five finish.
Josh Grant Wins Red Bud
DAVID EVANS
Jul 5, 2009
Contact: David Evans
JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha Team Media Relations
(704) 293-3745
JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s Josh Grant Wins Red Bud
Rookie Celebrates Fourth of July with First 450 Class Win
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (July 5, 2009) – Josh Grant won his first 450 Class national motocross victory at Red Bud MX in Buchanan, Mich. The event was broadcast live on NBC Sports and marks the halfway point of the 12-round Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series. The win was also the first premier class motocross victory for the JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha Team, only in its second year of operation. Earlier this year, Grant, a rookie in the premier class, won the opening round of the AMA Supercross Championship giving the fledgling JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha Team victories in both supercross and motocross at the sport’s highest level.
After setting the fastest qualifying lap-time in practice, Grant started the first moto in eighth and began making quick work of the field moving into third by just the second lap. Over the next 30 minutes he steadily crept up on the battle for the lead. On lap 13 Grant moved into second and started pressuring the series points leader for the moto win. He came close to making the pass, but would not risk crashing and a chance for his first overall victory.
In the second moto Grant started in sixth and moved into third on the first lap. By the third lap he was in second and on the fifth lap he took the lead where he stayed until the checkered flag taking the overall win for the day. “I was excited to get Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota/Yamaha on the podium. It’s our first outdoor overall win, I just wanted to say this one’s for you dad,” said an elated Josh Grant. “I knew Josh could win races in this series, and with such a convincing performance we have a legitimate shot at winning this championship,” said Coy Gibbs, the team owner.
Grant’s teammate, Cody Cooper also put in a solid ride, starting each moto in ninth position and working his way up to sixth in moto one and fifth in moto two for fifth overall.
After six of twelve rounds the 450 Class series points are:
1. Chad Reed 240 6. Mike Alessi 142
2. Andrew Short 219 7. Cody Cooper 135
3. Ivan Tedesco 200 8. Thomas Hahn 123
4. Josh Grant 198 9. Ricky Dietrich 119
5. Michael Byrne 145 10. Nick Wey 101
The next round of the series will be on July 18 at Spring Creek Motocross in Millville, Minn. The first motos of both the 250 and 450 classes will air live on www.allisports.com starting at 1:00 p.m. (EST). The second 450 moto will be broadcast on SPEED starting at 11:30 p.m. (EST).
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